Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on if this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're among three eight and two squads in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the top team?
One could find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts really for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Denver
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his team to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There's a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's major meeting between the two in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest
Each could easily be without a loss as too - especially the Rams as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards